.
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by Nikolaos Theotokis.
Hardback (6.5×9.5 inches). 280 pages. 2024.
Subtitle: How 12 Million Axis POWs Were Held in Captivity During WW2 and After
What I thought this book was about was how the US and Allies processed 12 million prisoners of war (POWs), with a third of them in the USSR, after capturing them. Not as such.
The book lists name, rank, war crimes, and changes of status of mostly high-ranking Nazi and German officers. Italy, Japan, and other Axis officers are also covered.
It is not exciting reading, but it does have its moments: Sgt. Schubert was sentenced by Greece to death 27 times (p46); Joanna Langfeld was dismissed as a concentration camp guard for showing excessive sympathy to Polish female prisoners, who later aided Joanna’s post-war escape from a Polish prison and kept her hidden in a convent for 10 years before helping her escape to West Germany. She is the only SS guard who was saved from the death penalty by her victims (p87).
Typos: Vice Admiral Huffmeier remained in captivity until 2 April 1948…died 13 January 1942 (p34). Maybe 1952? 1962?
Hitler’s gold watch and “Party budge” (p46) should be badge. Woods left the Army in 1947…died in 1999…aged 39 (p78). Maybe 79? 89? 99?
In the photo section, the caption “This photo and caption to be used for the dustjacket” was given for not one, but two photos. Another caption mentioned a pilot by his “by-plane” which should be biplane. This is just plain sloppy.
The book contains 33 black and white photos.
Obviously, the book doesn’t contain 12 million entries, just the big wigs, generals, and some others. No use on a tabletop. I only skimmed the Italian and Japanese entries and ignored the rest.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
